“I like to give back”: University staff recognised for their service in volunteering

As part of National Volunteers Week an event took place on Tuesday 3rd June in the Combination Room (Old Schools) to celebrate the efforts of Cambridge University staff who are giving up their time to volunteer.

As part of the University’s volunteering goal, its mission is to celebrate activity that is currently taking place and support individuals in volunteering roles. The University also wants to bring together the University’s volunteering community and start collective conversation, as well as showcasing the benefits of volunteering individually and institutionally.

Sally Page, Deputy CEO for Cambridge Council Volunteer Service (CCVS) delivered an informative speech, about the value of volunteering within the Cambridgeshire Community and shared different ways that staff can get involved.

Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement, Kamal Munir, said: “I’m extremely glad that we’re celebrating Cambridge University staff members who are giving up their time to volunteer and it is hugely appreciated.”
“We want to strengthen the culture of volunteering more within the University and there are so many staff what are helping out, from helping in food banks to our museums, a big thank you.”

An informal panel discussion also took place with Karen Pearce, Deputy Director of Sport at the University Sport’s Centre and Niki Hughes, Opportunities Advisor University Museums hosted by Staff Wellbeing Co-Ordinator, Eleanor Martin. Karen said: “Sport relies very heavily on volunteers, whether that’s coaches, umpires or another role. So I’ve been aware of volunteering all my life and a lot of activities just wouldn’t run without their input.”

Duty Supervisor at the University Sports Centre, Ellis Maloney explained he likes to: “give back” and that he has volunteered a lot through Sport, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Birmingham. “The first time I helped out, I was ‘scoring’ which involves changing the television scores, as the Games progressed for squash. I did this for a couple of weeks and I’ve also volunteered as a first aider.”

Karen Kennedy, who works in the Strategic Partnership’s Office, in the Academic Division is also taking some time to volunteer.

Karen said: “I like to give back and I think I’ve benefitted myself from volunteering in different roles.” She explained that she volunteers as a tutor for Action Tutoring, who provide maths and English support. She also explained: “One of the other things I do is support the staff choir at Great St Mary’s Church in Cambridge. We run a work-based choir and two of the Staff Wellbeing Team in HR. Eleanor Martin and Jo Clarke have been great in terms of facilitating the funding and support for that and that really is something that is about Wellbeing and I get a lot of great feedback about people who come along to the choir.”

Ibrahim Rahman, Social Media Co-Ordinator for the Office of External Affairs and Communication, also takes time out of his week to volunteer. Ibrahim said: “I volunteer for the Karim foundation, which is a local charity in Cambridge that provides food, fuel and emergency support to local people who are in financial hardship. I volunteer as Communications Director, leading on fundraising, campaigns and all social media.”